Canadian Muslimah in Academia Co-founders
Co-Founders of CAN-MA
Dr. Zahra Abdallah and Rula Amer first connected in 2020 while teaching in higher education. Sharing a commitment to academic excellence, they continued to advance their respective paths in university lecturing, research, pedagogy, professional adult training, and leadership.
Through their shared journeys, they recognized a distinct gap: the need for a dedicated, equitable, and accessible space designed specifically for Muslim women navigating the complexities of Canadian higher education. What began as a series of collaborative discussions quickly evolved into a shared vision to build a resilient professional community.
Today, CAN-MA stands as the realization of that vision—a network established to empower scholars, educators, and leaders across Canadian universities and colleges to collaborate, thrive, and lead together.
Dr. Zahra Abdallah, Co-Founder of CAN-MA
I’m a transformation consultant and executive coach with a PhD in Organizational Leadership. I’m passionate about serving our Ummah through education and leadership development and excited to collaborate within the Canadian academic space. Looking forward to learning and building together!
Rula Amer, MEd, Co-Founder of CAN-MA
I am a lecturer at TMU with nine years of teaching experience across the Education program at Ontario Tech University, and the Creative Industries programs at Sheridan College and the Professional Learning Program at Durham College. I hold a Master of Education from Ontario Tech University. My forthcoming research explores the intersection of ethical AI in higher education, Muslim women in social justice movements, Muslim women navigating western university spaces, and progressive curriculum development. Deeply dedicated to my Muslim community, I am passionate about advancing education and creating lasting social impact. I look forward to working together with you to build a strong, educated, and empowered community!
CAN-MA Advisory Members
Dr. Reem El Asaleh
Interim Chair Professor at the School of Graphic Communications Management at TMU.
Dr. El Asaleh is an accomplished Professor of Graphic Communications Management at The Creative School. Her dedication to teaching has earned her prestigious recognition and awards, highlighting her exceptional impact on graphic communications. She is a member of TMU’s graduate studies under the Master of the Digital Media Program and PhD in Media and Design Innovation Program, as well as the joint graduate program in Communications and Culture within The Creative School.
In her current role as the faculty advisor of the GCM Colloquium, Dr. El Asaleh plays a crucial role in guiding and mentoring students as they organize this annual event. The GCM Colloquium serves as a platform for industry professionals to share their expertise on specific themes, providing valuable insights into the current trends within the dynamic graphic arts industry. Furthermore, she has previously served as the Dimensions Faculty Lead for The Creative School, displaying her commitment to addressing Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA) barriers within the post-secondary scholarly, research, and creativity (SRC) ecosystem.
With her expertise in computer science and graphic communications, Dr. El Asaleh has led several research projects that have addressed critical issues in the graphic arts industry. Her work has been published in top-tier academic journals and technical conference proceedings. As the director of the Lab of Excellence in Digital Asset Management (DAM) (LED – www.ledtmu.com), she heads the world’s first and only lab dedicated to fostering in-depth research and education in Digital Asset Management technology. Dr. El Asaleh’s research interests extend emerging pre-media technologies, digital asset management, colour science and EDIA in Graphic Communications.
Dr. Areej Alhamad
Assistant professor at TMU, Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing.
Areej Al-Hamad is an assistant professor at Toronto Metropolitan University. She obtained her undergraduate and master’s degrees in Nursing (2002, 2005) from Jordan University of Science & Technology. Al-Hamad has two PhDs. She received her first PhD in Rural and Northern Health (Health Policy) from Laurentian University in 2019 and her second PhD in Nursing from Western University in 2021. She was appointed to the Nursing School at University of Calgary in Qatar in 2019 as an assistant professor. She is currently an adjunct professor at the University of Calgary in Canada and Qatar. She has extensive and diverse clinical and teaching experiences in Canada, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Al-Hamad has published several articles in peer reviewed journals, with a research focus on food insecurity, women’s health, marginalized populations, refugees, intersectionality and social justice. She worked as a lead principal investigator in the development of an Undergraduate Research Experience Program grant to explore undergraduate nursing students’ experiences of food security in Qatar (a photovoice study) and was successful in procuring the grant (USD $30,000). She is a recipient of several scholarships, including two Ontario Graduate Scholarships with a total amount of CAD $30,000. Al-Hamad has taught several undergraduate courses (e.g. community health, adult nursing, leadership, alteration in health, chronic care) and graduate courses (e.g. philosophy and qualitative methods) and received a Teaching Excellence Certificate from Western University (2015/2016).
Al-Hamad is a recipient of several awards including the best oral presentation at the Joint Mental Health Research and Innovation Day 2020. Her PhD in Nursing from Western University was selected as a best PhD dissertation with the best academic achievement for the year 2021-2022. She is currently engaging in several interdisciplinary and international research projects including a scoping review around nurse-led research, a phenomenology study to explore the lived experiences of radiologists using home based picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) during COVID-19, and a mixed methods study to explore the perceptions of Qatari medical students toward pursuing family medicine as a future career path.
Besma Soltan, PhD Candidate
Besma Soltan is a Ph.D. Candidate in Interdisciplinary Social Research at Trent University in Canada. Her research examines how intersectional identities shape racialized women’s entrepreneurial experiences and the structural and cultural barriers that limit equitable participation in entrepreneurship ecosystems, and has been presented at academic conferences internationally. With 15 years of experience spanning grassroots organizations, nonprofits, startups, incubators, and higher education, including founding her own nonprofit and consultancy, she brings practical, lived insight to entrepreneurship education and economic justice. As a racialized Muslim woman and immigrant who has navigated these ecosystems firsthand, her research is grounded in lived experience and written as a form of resistance, on behalf of herself and the women whose stories she carries. She holds a Master’s in Education and an Honours BA in Business and Communications, and serves in research and community leadership roles focused on advancing gender and racial equity.
Nora Noureddine, MEd
I have a background in Education Studies and Digital Technology, and I recently completed my Master of Education. I’ve worked in different teaching and academic support roles across universities and educational settings, with a strong interest in inclusive education, accessibility, educational technology, and instructional design. Most recently, I was working as an Academic Assistant at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Dr. Meranda Salem, PhD, P.Eng
Dr. Meranda Salem, PhD, P.Eng., is an engineering educator and researcher specializing in mechatronics, robotics, and real‑time control. She teaches at the University of Toronto and Toronto Metropolitan University, where she leads courses in circuits, control systems, and mechatronics while supervising multiple Capstone Design teams. Her research spans intelligent manufacturing, embedded control, and hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing, building on doctoral work where she “designed and modified scalable DC power supplies” for resistance spot welding. She has contributed to applied robotics projects, published in leading conferences, and remains active in engineering outreach and professional service.
Raghad Kamel, PhD, P.Eng.
Dr. Raghad Kamel is an accomplished academic leader, educator, and researcher specializing in sustainable energy systems, energy efficiency, and building technologies. She currently serves as a full-time Professor in the School of Environmental and Civil Engineering Technology (SECET) at Seneca Polytechnic, where she has dedicated over a decade to teaching and academic development. Throughout her tenure at Seneca, she has held key leadership positions, including Program Coordinator and Internationalization Lead for the Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering Technology (FASET). In these roles, she has led curriculum development, driven quality improvements, and championed global engagement and collaborative international learning initiatives.
Dr. Kamel’s extensive research portfolio focuses on the design, modeling, and optimization of renewable energy systems. She has served as a Principal Investigator on major applied research projects funded by NSERC and Mitacs, collaborating with industry leaders such as Canadian Solar, Toronto Hydro, and S2E Technologies. Her primary expertise lies in Building Integrated Photovoltaic Thermal (BIPV/T) collectors and advanced air source heat pump systems for cold climates. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mechanical Engineering from Toronto Metropolitan University, where her dissertation focused on combined BIPV/T systems coupled with air source heat pumps. Additionally, she holds both a Master’s and a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical and Aeronautics Engineering from Baghdad University, graduating in the top 10% of her undergraduate class.
CAN-MA Members
Dr. Zeina Sleiman
Zeina Sleiman is a Political Scientist and Writer. She currently serves as the Director of the Colbourne Institute at NorQuest College, which focuses on research and consulting. She specializes in citizenship, migration and municipal politics. She’s the principal investigator of an NSERC funded project that explores the impact of the City of Edmonton’s migrant inclusion policy. She’s also working on research that explores the impact of AI policies within municipalities and how they may challenge municipal sanctuary policies.
Outside of academia, she is also a fiction writer. Her debut Where the Jasmine Blooms was a finalist for the Forest of Reading Evergreen Award and her short story, My Father’s Soil was a finalist for the CBC short story awards in 2025. Her second novel, The Arabic Word for Mercy will be out in Spring 2027.
Nour Mousa, PhD Student
Nour is an active member of the Quantum Readiness Working Group with the Canadian Forum for Digital Infrastructure and Resilience, the PKI Consortium, and a founding member of Threat Modeling Connect Toronto chapter. She is also pursuing a PhD in IT Management at Toronto Metropolitan University’s Ted Rogers School of Management, where her research focuses on quantum computing and cybersecurity threats.
Waffa Qurbani M.Ed, OCELT, CELTA· 1st
I am an English professor and ESL educator in Ontario, Canada, with experience teaching adult English language learners in both college and online settings. I hold a Master of Education in Second Language Learning from the University of Ottawa, along with a Bachelor of Education in Adult Education and TESL Ontario certification. My areas of expertise include English language teaching, curriculum development, adult education, and technology-enhanced learning. I am passionate about creating engaging, student-centred learning experiences that help learners develop confidence and communicate effectively in academic, professional, and everyday contexts.
Dr. Fadwa Elashi
Dr. Fadwa Elashi holds a Ph.D. in Psychological Sciences with a specialization in developmental science and serves as a contract lecturer at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). Her research spans social and cognitive psychology, examining topics from children’s group attitudes and bias blind spots to how culture shapes skepticism and bullying behaviour. Dr. Elashi is driven by a passion for building equitable, optimal learning environments and cultivating “change readiness” in the next generation. This led her to found Nectar Education, a non-profit that bridges research and practice by delivering evidence-based programming and consulting directly to families and schools.
Heba Ragheb
Heba Ragheb is a doctoral Social Work student at the University of Toronto. She is a clinician-researcher with over 15 years’ experience across community mental health, hospital, and primary care settings. She holds a Master of Social Work and an Honours Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Psychology, guiding her integrative and evidence-informed approaches to wellbeing. Her work and advocacy are grounded in a holistic and humanistic philosophy, supporting individuals and families towards improved quality of life.
Heba founded Hayat Wellness Counselling, dedicated to faith-based psychotherapy services for individuals living with chronic health and mental health conditions. She was a co-founder of the Canadian Muslim Mental Health Conference (2016–2019) and served as a co-organizer (2020–2021), contributing to the advancement of psychoeducation for community members, faith leaders, and training for healthcare professionals. In addition, she contributed to the development of the framework for the first social work licensure in Dubai through a collaborative initiative with the Dubai Healthcare Authority. As an RBC Fellow, Heba collaborated with an interdisciplinary team to develop and publish a national curriculum for social work in primary care and contributed to the inaugural National Summit on Social Work in Primary Care.
Heba has published clinical research focused on faith-based interventions, stigma, schizophrenia and addictions, in affiliation with the University of Toronto, University Health Network and Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. She has been recognized with awards from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Ontario Graduate Scholarship for research and academic achievement. Her doctoral research centers on utilizing relational epistemologies to advance health and mental health equity and contribute to meaningful healthcare reform. Ms. Ragheb is dedicated to serving Muslim communities and Canadian communities at large.
Dr. Nada Al Masri
PhD. in computer science. I worked at the University of Waterloo in the CS department, worked in an American University in Kuwait, and currently (since 2023) have been working as an associate Professor (teaching stream) at the University of Toronto, in the Faculty of Information, in the master’s of Information Systems Design program. I am really excited to be in this group!
Dr. Enas Altarawneh
I’m an assistant prof at York University in computer science.
Dr. Sarah Cherki El Idrissi Badaw
I am a teaching stream Assistant Professor at UofT Mississauga. My area of teaching and research is on Management Information Systems and Sustainability.
Dr. Nisreen Alameddine
Im an educator and emergent researcher. My interest lies in CRRP, building teacher capacity and addressing the learning environment specifically for learners with exceptionalities.
Dr. Sanaa Ali
PhD candidate in Policy Studies at TMU. My work examines philanthropic foundations, comparing their racial justice commitments with their employment practices.
Yousra, Master’s in International Law
I recently completed my Master’s in International Law this past January. I currently work with the Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council (CMPAC) as a Legal Researcher, focusing on legal and policy issues affecting our communities.
Dr. Ines Arous
I am an assistant professor at York University in computer science. I specialize in natural language processing and I hold a PhD in computer science specialized in human-AI collaboration.
Dr. Maryam Mohiuddin
Assistant Professor of Business (Teaching Stream) at the University of Waterloo and the JEDI+A Advocate at the Waterloo Institute for Social Innovation and Resilience.
Dr. Abeer Badaw
Postdoctoral in Safety AI & Health | Faculty Affiliate Researcher at Vector Institute PhD in Computer Engineering Postdoc at York University, Faculty Affiliate Researcher at Vector Institute.
Dr. Imen Ben Jemia
I am an Assistant Professor of Architecture and Urban Planning at Université de l’Ontario français. It is a new francophone university in Toronto. I previously lived in Montreal where I completed my Phd.
Dr. Sidra Farid
I am the Founder and Director of Orchard Learning Academy — the first i-STEAM based elementary school in Milton. I was a Fulbright PhD scholar from Chicago, USA, in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and a member of Professional Engineers Ontario, I served as an Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering at UET Lahore, sessional faculty at McMaster University, and is currently working as a Research Program Manager at the University of Toronto’s Mechanical Engineering Department.
Dr. Natasha
I’m a clinical psychologist. I also do psychological diagnostic assessments including adhd assessments and marriage counseling, premarital counselling or relationship in general.
Dr. Rasha Sabouny
My name is Rasha Sabouny, I am a biochemist by training and currently work at Health Canada as a scientific evaluator. I worked in Academia for many years as a researcher and now moved to regulatory science.
Dr. Arwa Hussain
Arwa Hussain, I graduated last year with my PhD from Concordia University where my research looked at how young Muslim women of one community navigate between their religious community and the wider societies they live in as well as politics of the hijab, agency, and lived experiences.
After finally accepting the futility of an academic career, currently I am working part-time at the South Asian Women’s Community Center in Montreal on a contractual project developing their archives and oral h
Rania Younes
Rania Younes, currently Director of Strategy & Impact at the Immigrant Employment Council of BC (IEC-BC). Although the organization is based in BC, I work remotely from Burlington, Ontario. My work focuses on workforce development, immigrant inclusion, employer engagement, applied research, and systems change.
My background is more in applied research, strategy, and social innovation than academia, but I’ve always valued the connection between research, policy, and practice. I also hold a Master of Design in Strategic Foresight and Innovation from OCAD University.